Column Treatment Progress Report No.156: A Patient Who Had Spinal Canal Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis
February 26, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
This patient has spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L4/5).
Anterolisthesis in L4 was also observed.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and disc herniation in 2019 and was treated with medication and block injections, but his condition did not improve.
She had symptoms of numbness in her lower limbs due to some side effects caused by anticancer drug treatment.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 6 months after treatment | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt a slight decrease in pain and numbness.
After one month, she felt better compared to before the treatment. There were days when she didn’t need to take painkillers.
After 3 months, we were unable to contact her.
After 6 months, there was a time when the pain level was about 7 for about 10 days. In the evening, the symptoms worsened due to fatigue, but basically the pain levels had improved.
After 12 months, symptoms occur for a short time when she is tired from work, but are gone after a good night’s sleep. The patient’s numbness has also improved, so she is glad that she underwent the treatment.
This majority of the patient’s symptoms are thought to be caused by spinal canal stenosis.
The numbness in the lower limbs were thought to be caused by the side effects of the anticancer drug, but since it has been relieved by the Cellgel method, it is now thought that some of the symptoms were also caused by the spinal canal stenosis.
Symptoms improved with each passing day, with just a temporary aggravation of the symptoms at 6 months during the course of the treatment. Such a temporary deterioration is often observed during the repair process.
In many cases, symptoms temporarily aggravate during the repair process, before improving later on.
* It takes approximately 3 weeks to 3 months to see the full effects of the treatment.
* Effects in the treatment may vary according to individual differences. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the exact same effects may not be replicated every time.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Here is some additional information about the Cellgel method that we have presented here.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per site (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen for 5 sites (including tax)
Cost for this patient’s case: Cellgel performed in 2 areas = 1,430,000 yen (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Due to the very nature of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but so far there have been no reports of damage in either reported cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to the local anesthetic. Symptoms may temporarily worsen during the first week or two after treatment. This is believed to be due to the decompression effect of the implant, which pulls in the surrounding tissues. Also, if the disc is almost completely worn out, it may not be possible to treat it. The doctor will consult with you during your visit to determine the best treatment option for your condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Column page explaining the Cellgel method in an easy-to-understand manner
Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
